Follett Press Releases

Follett Donates $100,000 in Scholarships to All-USA Community College Academic Team

Each All-USA team member to receive $5,000 toward their educational pursuits

Follett Higher Education Group, in partnership with Phi Theta Kappa, is proud to announce its continued sponsorship of the All-USA Community College Academic Team. Follett will again donate $100,000 in scholarships, translating to $5,000 for each 2016 All-USA team member. Follett’s ongoing relationship with Phi Theta Kappa and sponsorship of the All-USA team stems from a foundational commitment to helping students overcome obstacles and achieve what may have seemed out of reach.

“We understand that many students face difficulties in their educational journey, oftentimes financial barriers or lack of opportunity,” said Don Germano, President of Follett Higher Education Group. “Follett is fortunate to be in a position to promote college affordability and success nationwide, and to take that support a step further for these very worthy students.”

When asked what this scholarship means to them, All-USA team member responses went beyond financial relief to new motivation and opportunities.

“Being the first of my brothers, sisters and cousins to accomplish an Associate’s degree, and then continue towards my Bachelor’s is a huge blessing,” said Alex Martinez Figueroa, Phi Theta Kappa and All-USA Community College Academic Team member from Pima Community College-Desert Vista Campus in Arizona. “Receiving this acknowledgement of my effort has opened up so many pathways to allow me to focus on my education, and to continue volunteering in my community and in the University of Arizona.”

“This scholarship has been life-changing – to be recognized as one of the top students in the nation is not only personally validating, but also allows me to continue setting the example and being a positive role model for my children,” said Patrick Fritz, Phi Theta Kappa and All-USA Community College Academic Team member from Piedmont Virginia Community College-Charlottesville Campus in Virginia. “It is proof positive that through hard work, perseverance and sacrifice you can excel far beyond expectations.”

Follett currently manages more than 1,250 campus stores, including nearly 550 community college stores - more than any other campus retailer in the country. In addition to its annual scholarship donations, Follett supports student access and affordability with a wide range of cost-saving textbook options, including the largest inventory of used books in the industry and a text rental program that has already saved students nationwide more than $1 billion. To learn more about Follett and its campus store programs, please visit www.follett.com/fms.

For more than 140 years, Follett has been a trusted partner to pre-K and K-12 schools, districts, and college campuses, taking care of the critical details that make it easier for schools to run, teachers to teach and students to learn. Every day, Follett serves over half of the students in the United States, and works with 70,000 schools as a leading provider of education technology, services and print and digital content. Follett is higher education's largest campus retailer and a hub for school spirit and community, operating more than 1,250 local campus stores and 1,700 virtual stores across the continent. Headquartered in Westchester, Illinois, Follett is a $2.6 billion privately held company.